As a huge fan of Anthony Hopkins‘ exceptional acting career, I can’t help but be amused and slightly baffled by the latest news surrounding his iconic character, Hannibal Lecter. The man who brought to life one of cinema’s most terrifying yet captivating villains has reacted to former President Donald Trump’s peculiar admiration for Lecter during a recent interview with Deadline.
Anthony Hopkins, one of Hollywood’s most prolific actors, has reacted to presidential candidate Donald Trump’s comments about the fictional character Hannibal Lecter. Hopkins’ performance as Lecter, the pivotal antagonist of The Silence of the Lambs (as well as the other films based on the books by Thomas Harris), shot him into stardom in 1992 when he won an Academy Award for Best Actor. Even though more than 30 years have passed, it remains Hopkins’ most influential performance to date and is often remembered by modern audiences.
At rallies earlier this year, Donald Trump, the previous US President who’s campaigning once more, made another contentious statement. He referenced Hannibal Lecter, the late and legendary character from Silence of the Lambs, saying: “Hannibal Lecter was quite a man. Remember how he used to invite friends for dinner? ‘Coming for dinner, my dear friend,’ he’d say as an unsuspecting passerby approached. Indeed, Hannibal Lecter was an extraordinary character.” It’s challenging to understand the connection Trump intended with this statement.
During an interview with Deadline regarding his part in Roland Emmerich’s TV show “Those About to Die,” Hopkins learned that Trump had made references to Lecter in some of his speeches. Hopkins reacted just like everyone else who had heard the news online, expressing shock. When informed of this by Deadline, he asked, “Is Trump really using Lecter?” He then laughed and remarked, “I wasn’t aware of that. Hannibal – it’s hard to believe that was over three decades ago! I’m taken aback by what you’ve shared with me about Trump.”
Intriguingly, Deadline queries him about his part as Vespasian in Emmerich’s forthcoming show and if he notices any similarities between the character and the present President Joe Biden, who is seeking re-election this year. Hopkins responds:
As a gamer, I come across moments in the game where my character seems confused on the balcony. I assume this is because the script calls for it, and my character is supposed to be losing her bearings. It’s not something I consciously thought about beforehand, just something I had to act out based on the script. However, I’ve realized that such moments can happen to any character, regardless of age. And no, I didn’t deliberately incorporate any Biden-like aspects into my portrayal during that scene.
As a gamer, I can relate to Hopkins’ perspective when he mentions that delving into the historical accuracy of Vespasian didn’t seem essential for a satisfactory script. Since I wasn’t overly familiar with the real-life Roman emperor, I reasoned that investing time in research wouldn’t significantly enhance my project: “I thought it was a waste of precious gaming hours,” I mused, “[it] didn’t add anything new or alter the core mechanics of my game. Instead, I recognized that Vespasian faced a common challenge – his two sons were easily distracted, so my mission became to create a strong and engaging narrative to keep players engaged and help them navigate through their distractions.”
The Undeniable Legacy of Anthony Hopkins
Anthony Hopkins, a renowned actor known for his roles in “The Silence of the Lambs,” “Amistad,” and “Nixon,” among others, has earned immense respect in the film industry. Richard Attenborough famously declared Hopkins as the finest actor of his time, a claim that is hard to dispute. Contrary to appearances, the two-time Oscar winner, four-time BAFTA recipient, two-time Emmy awardee, and Laurence Olivier Award holder continues to be an energetic force in acting.
In the interview, Hopkins expresses his gratitude for being in the film industry and continuing to create movies and television. At 86 years old, he’s amazed that he’s still around and maintains a sense of playfulness about it. Regrettably, many of his peers have passed away, but Hopkins is simply thankful for the opportunity to keep working. The added bonus is the newfound freedom that comes with knowing he didn’t cause his success alone.
Anthony Hopkins’ upcoming series, “Those About to Die“, will be released exclusively on Peacock starting July 28, 2024.)
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2024-07-16 22:31